The English Oak Project

It minimises the risk but correct, absolutely does not prevent attacks. The reason I mention is because my presence did stop one attack

Whilst Bert is AWOL, a few examples of his behaviour

We had a spate of sparrowhawk attacks

Feeding fledglings was dangerous & I helped by putting food under bushes, knowing Bert was watching

Bert joined me one foot away knowing I would protect him

Massive oak tree

Tree of Life, New Orleans

A southern live oak (quercus virginiana) that has lived through the whole history of European North America

Photo: Jared Chambers

An oak seedling in a pot

‘Tree’

Definition: ‘A woody perennial plant, typically having a single stem or trunk growing to a considerable height and bearing lateral branches at some distance from the ground.’

Saint Theodora - Vasta, Greece: the church with the trees on the roof There are 17 oak trees growing on the roof and walls, but no roots have penetrated inside this 800 year old church

Saint Theodora - Vasta, Greece: the church with the trees on the roof

There are 17 oak trees growing on the roof and walls, but no roots have penetrated inside this 800 year old church

Whilst Bert is AWOL, a few examples of his behaviour

Bert is totally relaxed in my company. Facial expression, size & the way you move identify you

It is the best compliment that whilst he obviously sees me, the constant scan for threats is everywhere but me

Massive oak tree with a human for scale

The Great Oak in Kingswalden Park, Hertfordshire

A thousand years of majesty

Photo: Aljos Farjon

Whilst Bert is AWL, a few examples of his unique behaviour

Bert will follow me around the garden. When I turn to see him, he pretends to have a bath, worm hunt, preen etc

What he is really doing is reminding me of his presence, hoping it will trigger me to bring raisins

I hear him sometimes so he is close

Saint Theodora - Vasta, Greece: the church with the trees on the roof There are 17 oak trees growing on the roof and walls, but no roots have penetrated inside this 800 year old church

Saint Theodora - Vasta, Greece: the church with the trees on the roof

There are 17 oak trees growing on the roof and walls, but no roots have penetrated inside this 800 year old church

Whilst Bert is AWOL, a few examples of his behaviour

Bert is totally relaxed in my company. Facial expression, size & the way you move identify you

It is the best compliment that whilst he obviously sees me, the constant scan for threats is everywhere but me

Tryfan from Y Garn

Fantastic English Oaks on Ynys Môn. Just spent a week with my boys climbing in the Ogwen Valley and catching up with family 🙂

My family is from Moelfre 🙂🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Interesting. Just travelled around the border and dyke in Shropshire and it is obvious the common oaks stop and the Sessile oaks start at the border. The border is where the high ground starts explaining why the Welsh could defend better here 🙂🌳

The front cover of the book showing the same tree. The Great Oak, Kingswalden Park, Hertfordshire

Aljos Farjon is a Dutch botanist & wrote this wonderful book

Magnificent descriptions and photos of our ancient oaks

Massive oak tree with a human for scale

The Great Oak in Kingswalden Park, Hertfordshire

A thousand years of majesty

Photo: Aljos Farjon

Bert will walk behind me. When I turn around he will pretend to be doing something else. This time the bath was close 🙂

Yes he got raisins

Whilst Bert is AWL, a few examples of his unique behaviour

Bert will follow me around the garden. When I turn to see him, he pretends to have a bath, worm hunt, preen etc

What he is really doing is reminding me of his presence, hoping it will trigger me to bring raisins

Two acorns

Fell too early 😔🌳

Massive oak tree trunk with a house behind

Oak with no name, or a name only known to other oaks - Stapel, Germany

Photo: Rainer Lippert

In the increasing darkness I can make out the silhouette of a blackbird in the long grass of our garden

Bert is not comfortable during his moult & prefers to worm hunt at dawn or dusk

Of course he can see me, but will not approach until he is back to his normal self
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Wildwood

I have not been to our Ancient Woodland for 4 weeks

What has changed? Nothing

The brambles are a bit taller & the bluebell stalks have mostly fallen, but no humans have been here, just evidence of deer, badger & wild rabbits

Life goes on. Humans just get in the way

Massive oak tree trunk with a house behind

Oak with no name, or a name only known to other oaks - Stapel, Germany

Photo: Rainer Lippert

He wants to approach me, but there is an innate subconscious that tells him not to

When he is ready the returns to his home, our garden, will increase as his feathers do

It will make the homecoming just that little bit sweeter

Blackbirds are territorial & do not like to show weakness, even to friendly humans

It’s not embarrassment, it’s that the normal shiny black feathers project health & strength

The current lack of feathers also mean he cannot fly properly & is therefore vulnerable
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In the increasing darkness I can make out the silhouette of a blackbird in the long grass of our garden

Bert is not comfortable during his moult & prefers to worm hunt at dawn or dusk

Of course he can see me, but will not approach until he is back to his normal self
1/3

Big Dave the Pigeon is missing Bert, but as a bonus gets to poo in the bird bath

The ginger tom cat that Bert dives at with both sets of claws showing is less sympathetic, but Bert’s aura still prevents him from approaching our garden

Blackbirds lose their old feathers after the breeding season. While moulting, they will hide away more to avoid predators as they are vulnerable

Consequently, Bert is not regularly in our garden currently, & may not be for a few weeks more, so posts will be less frequent

1/2

Basically 🙂

Wildwood

Wildwood is nature left to its own devices. Our footprint is minimal both physically & metaphorically

Humans are destroying the planet, they cannot be trusted